Misguided direction

March 29, 2008

To the editor:

I feel compelled to write regarding the recent deliberation of the Somerset Area School Board and their decision to decline from rehiring Mr. Jason E. June as the full-time band director of the Sr. High music program.

Mr. June has been filling in as the temporary band director since Mr. Herb McDowell began a leave of absence in the summer of 2006. Now that Mr. McDowell has retired, the School Board has voted to eliminate one full-time music position.

Mr. June will lose his position though he would appear to be the most logical choice to continue this part of the program. He now has two years in which he has gained familiarity and experience working with the students but it would seem the school board sees that as irrelevant.

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I recognize the board’s notion that this position may be deemed unnecessary as of class equity to that of Core curriculum teachers and their workload in comparison. However a position that requires students to express themselves in a manner that cannot be used or found in the regular classroom, to me, seems invaluable.

Mr. June has not only stepped in and filled Mr. McDowell’s shoes, but far exceeded them. In one year of taking over Somerset’s competitive marching band, Mr. June raised the program’s third place finish at Chapter Championships in 2006, to a second place finish in 2007, with a commitment to continue improving.

Not only has he boosted the enjoyment of the music ensembles but also become a mentor to many students, some further pursuing an education in music, no doubt thanks to his influence. To many he became more than a mentor, but a friend also, and he connected with the students to push them to exceed expectations of both student and teacher.

Personally, I find it very difficult to find teachers today who can relate to their students in such a manner and achieve outstanding results as does Mr. June. The board may look at the band director as only an unnecessary position, but think of the lives touched by this one, seemingly minor position.

Would the parents of the students only wish for the position to be filled, or be filled by a properly trained instructor? I would believe the latter, and feel that we have found that “shoe to fit” here in Somerset, in Mr. Jason E. June. For all of the hard work Mr. June has given to the Somerset Area High School, from the marching band competitions, and the football half-time shows, to the numerous hours spent conducting the musical, The Wiz, and spending hundreds of hours preparing and presenting ensemble concerts for the jazz band, and concert band, how can we repay him in such manner?

Certainly there is an alternative solution than simply eliminating a precious position which influences students to avoid the streets and delve into a world of musical expression. Studies show that students involved in the arts, especially music, also excel the greatest in the classroom and in individual activities. Why then must we sit here and watch a highly respectable and qualified music teacher, who shares a passion for his art with that of his students, be removed from his position due to downsizing? Think of the students who will be affected the most; will they still remain in the music program? I beg that the community regards this heart-wrenching turn of events and respond to defend the moral right of keeping music, and qualified instructors, in our schools.